How to treat parotid gland swelling?
Treatment and Prevention for Parotid Gland Swelling Hydration and proper oral hygiene are essential to ensure foreign materials or salivary gland stones do not obstruct your parotid ducts. You can sip water throughout the day or chew gum to promote saliva flow.
What causes parotid swelling in infancy?
The predominant cause of parotid swelling in infancy is parotitis epidemica [7]. This disease has its peak incidence between the ages of 2 and 14 [8].
What causes swelling of the salivary gland in children?
Inflammatory salivary gland diseases, next to benign neoplasms, are the most frequent causes of salivary gland swelling in juvenile age [3]. The acute forms of sialadenitis are bacterial and viral in origin. In childhood, the parotid gland is most frequently affected by acute bacterial inflammation [2,4].
What is parotitis and how is it treated?
Parotitis is the medical term that is offered to the infection and inflammation of the salivary glands. These glands are buried in the back of each of your cheeks, simply listed below and in front of your ears.
How do you treat swelling parotid glands?
Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the flow of saliva and reduce swelling. Massaging the gland with heat. Using warm compresses on the inflamed gland.
What is the best antibiotic for parotitis?
For health care associated parotitis, broad spectrum antibiotics are recommended as mentioned in Table 3. Cefoxitin, imipenem, ertapenem, the combination of a penicillin plus beta-lactamase (amoxicillin/clavulanate, ampicillin/sulbactam) will provide adequate coverage.
What doctor treats swollen parotid glands?
An ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist, should check these enlargements.
How do you treat a parotid gland obstruction?
How is parotid duct obstruction treated?Increasing fluids.Putting moist heat on the area.Massaging the gland and duct.Sucking on candies to promote saliva secretion.Using pain medicines.Stopping use of any medicines that decrease saliva production, if medically possible.
What is chronic parotitis?
Chronic parotitis is a troubling clinical condition characterized by repeated infection and inflammation of the parotid gland caused by decreased salivary flow or obstruction. Unilateral swelling, pain, and other associated symptoms occur during acute exacerbations of the disease.
What causes chronic parotitis?
Autoimmune disease causes most cases of chronic parotitis. Recurring bacterial parotitis may be caused by stone formation or stenosis of the duct, but this also occurs in a minority of cases of chronic parotitis. HIV may cause a type of indolent parotitis that suggests an autoimmune process.
What is the best treatment for salivary gland?
Treatment for salivary gland tumors is usually with surgery to remove the tumor. People with salivary gland cancers may need additional treatments, such as with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
What kind of doctor looks at salivary glands?
Salivary gland diseases are due to many different causes. These diseases are treated both medically and surgically. Treatment is readily managed by an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon with experience in this area.
What is the difference between parotid gland and salivary gland?
The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands. They are located just in front of the ears. The saliva produced in these glands is secreted into the mouth from a duct near your upper second molar. Each parotid gland has two parts, or lobes: the superficial lobe and the deep lobe.
Do ENT doctors treat salivary glands?
More commonly known as ear, nose and throat physicians (ENTs), Northwestern Medicine otolaryngologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases and disorders of the head and neck, including salivary gland disease.
What disease causes swollen parotid glands?
Overview. Parotitis is a painful swelling of your parotid glands, which are salivary glands located between the ear and jaw. The most common cause is a virus, such as mumps, herpes, or Epstein-Barr. Bacterial infections, diabetes, tumours or stones in the saliva glands, and tooth problems also may cause parotitis.
Is swollen parotid gland serious?
Parotid gland infections are rare but if you notice swelling in one of your cheeks, feel chills, or fever, you should seek professional treatment right away. Your healthcare professional can diagnose the issue and recommend the treatment necessary to heal your parotid gland.
Causes
- A swollen parotid gland may occur due to various different causes. Some of these causative conditions may be mild and temporary whereas others can be serious. Swelling is a consequence of inflammation, fluid or blood accumulation, or abnormal growths. Sometimes this swelling can cause obvious enlargement of the face on the affected side and it may also affect the parotid gl…
Signs and symptoms
- Swelling of the parotid gland is a symptom and may occur with a number of other symptoms. This includes: Various other signs and symptoms may also be present depending on the cause of a swollen parotid gland. This may include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing and bleeding from the mouth. In some cases there may also be skin redness or a rash over the area …
Diagnosis
- WARNING: Symptoms like unintentional weight loss, bleeding from the mouth and severe pain should be investigated immediately as these may be signs of cancer. Rapid diagnosis and the appropriate treatment will make a significant difference in the prognosis. Always consult with a medical doctor.
Clinical significance
- Injury to the parotid gland can through a number of different ways. The injury may be mechanical, chemical or electromagnetic in nature. It may be injured during surgery, with a blow to the face or penetrating force, from toxins and other chemicals or with radiation to the head as part of treatment for cancer. Injury triggers inflammation as the body tries to minimize tissue damage a…
Treatment
- There is no single treatment for all causes of parotid gland swelling. Treatment is dependnt on the underlying cause and may vary greatly. For example, antibiotics may be used for bacterial infections while corticosteroids and immune-modulating agents may be prescribed for autoimmune conditions. Surgery may also be necessary, especially where stone...